2014

Regional Alternative Fuels Master Plan

EXPLORING ALTERNATIVESIn 2007, the Jacksonville Community Council (JCCI) released a study about North Florida’s air quality with specific recommendations to counter increased toxic pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. As part of this initiative, the North Florida Transportation Plannning Organization (North Florida TPO), working with JCCI, JEA and other groups, spearheaded a regional coalition to help reduce the use of imported oil, develop regional economic opportunities and improve air quality. Subsequently, the North Florida TPO became the host agency for the North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition, which is part of the U. S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program, and encompasses Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. Since then, the TPO has provided Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to support the Coalition and pursue initiatives, such as educational presentations and outreach events, to assist member counties, municipalities and regional partners in fleet conversion to alternative fuels.

Even though gasoline and diesel will continue to be the primary transportation fuels in our region in the near future, increasing the use of alternative fuels will provide many benefits including:

• Reduced costs of fueling, operating, and maintaining vehicles and increased energy efficiency

• Reduced dependence on foreign suppliers and reduced price/supply volatility

• Economic development and job creation

• Decreased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution

• Improved public health

This Plan focuses on how the North Florida TPO via the North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition can reduce petroleum dependence by speeding adoption of alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure. The following factors were analyzed in developing the Plan:

• National and local trends in gasoline, diesel and alternative fuel consumption

• Alternative fuel sources, prices, energy content and emissions

• Infrastructure requirements, costs and permitting considerations

• Federal, State and local rules, programs and incentives

The strategies and tactics to propel our region forward in this arena encompass education, coalition building, coordinated planning and strategic investment. To read the full report, please visit www.northfloridacleanfuels.com.

INITIAL PROJECT INVESTMENTSTo achieve its goals, the North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition must strategically direct resources to overcome barriers to using petroleum-alternatives.

St. Johns County CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Fleet Conversion ($732,000)The TPO is providing St. Johns County with $732,000 towards the purchase of approximately 130 mid-duty CNG fleet vehicles. The County will also pursue rebates from the State of Florida (up to 50% of the incremental cost of a vehicle, up to $250,000 per entity, per year). The County has entered into a public-private partnership (P3) for CNG fueling services. Nopetro has been selected to design, build, operate and maintain the CNG fueling facility to support the County’s fleet, which is expected to consume at least 100,000 GGE (gasoline gallon equivalent) in the first year of operation and 125,000 GGE/year thereafter. In addition, the CNG fueling facility will be made accessible to the public enabling smaller fleets and consumers in the region.

Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Fleet and Public Access CNG Stations ($2.75 million)The North Florida TPO Board, serving as the regional TRIP (Transportation Regional Incentive Program) agency, has allocated $2,750,000 in TRIP funds to help JTA buy approximately 100 CNG transit buses, develop a CNG fueling facility and modify its maintenance facilities to accommodate the new buses. JTA is entering a P3 agreement with Clean Energy Fuel Corp. to design, build, operate and maintain a fueling facility to serve the JTA fleet and a separate public fueling facility. The fleet facility is expected to supply at least 140,000 DGE (diesel gallon equivalent) in the first year, increasing to about one million DGE in year five.

Florida East Coast Railway Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Pilot Project ($375,000)This investment will assist FEC in purchasing four new locomotives with LNG kits and two fuel cars. Hub operations including training and maintenance will take place in Northeast Florida with the test route running between Jacksonville and New Smyrna.

Regional Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations ($300,000)In partnership with the JEA, this project will fund the purchase and installation of approximately 30 EV charging stations with JEA assuming operation and maintenance. The North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition EV Working Group is developing a preliminary map of potential locations throughout the four-county TPO region.

City of Jacksonville Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Sanitation Trucks ($315,000)This funding will be provided to the City of Jacksonville to cover CNG equipment costs for up to seven new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sanitation trucks. This represents the City’s first efforts to convert their fleet to alternative fuels.

Clean Truck Program ($162,000)In partnership with JAXPORT, this program will provide a process and funding to assist truck owners in converting to more fuel efficient and cleaner burning engines to reduce port truck emissions.

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS The North Florida Clean Fuels Coalition will continue to pursue a diverse agenda of education and awareness events aimed at overcoming barriers to adopting alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure. Past events have been very successful, contributing to nationwide recognition of the region’s commitment to petroleum alternatives. Future events will continue to focus on specific fuels and usage, as well as increase understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this area.

North Florida TPO • (904) 306-7500 • 1022 Prudential Drive • Jacksonville, FL 32207

The North Florida TPO is the independent regional transportation planning agency for Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. We lead our region’s efforts in planning, funding and mobilizing resources to develop and maintain our transportation system.

www.northfloridacleanfuels.com

www.northfloridatpo.com